Ditch forming machine



Sam. 25, 1956 w. F. EARLEY DITCH FOHMING MACHINE Filed' July 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTOIFE N EVS Sept. 25. 1956 Filed July 23, 1954 Fa'gz W. F. EARLEY BITCH FORMING MACHINE IEW 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ummm ATTORNEYS W. F. EARLEY DITCH FORMING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 23, 1954 HTTYS BITCH FORMING MACHINE Wilbur F. Earley, Stockton, Calif., assigner to Gantert & Zimmerman, Ltd., Stockton, Calif., a partnership Appiication July 23, 1954, Serial No. 445,364

2 Claims. (Cl. 37--9) This invention relates to ditch digging and forming machines; the major object of the invention being to provide a machine for the purpose by means of which a ditch having widely Haring sides will be dug and formed or sized to accurate dimensions with a single pass or operation of the machine. At the same time the machine is arranged so that if desired the flaring side forming elements of the machine may be removed, and the machine used to dig a relatively narrow straight side ditch instead of one with flaring sides.

The machine includes a row of relatively narrow digging buckets which dig and define the central portion of the ditch, and another object of the invention is to provide means whereby all the dirt which is cut to form the aring sides will be deflected to the bottom of the ditch to be picked up and delivered to a lateral discharge conveyor by said buckets. In this manner, all the dirt as dug is discharged from the ditch onto a lateral conveyor much narrower than the width of the ditch.

The ditch digging structure is mounted as a unit with a tractor movable along the ground over the line of the ditch to be dug, and which tractor includes ground engaging traction elements. A further object of the invention, therefore, is to employ the power plant on the tractor to drive the digging structure, and independent power units to drive the traction elements. ln this manner separate control of the speed of operation of the digging structure and of the traction elements may be more easily effected than would otherwise be the case, and the entire power of the power plant may be utilized to operate the digging structure without starving the traction elements and thus affecting the forward speed of the machine, and vice versa.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable ditch forming machine, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine as in operating position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine, somewhat diagrammatic and with certain parts omitted and others in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the rear end of the digging structure, taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear end elevation of the ditch shaping and dirt detiecting assembly, as disposed in the ditch.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the machine comprises a tractor, indicated generally at 1, which includes the usual housed power plant, indicated at 2, and a transmission housing 3 from both sides of which a zlriven transverse shaft 4 projects. The tractor also innited States Patent r"ice 2 cludes endless track units 5 of generally conventional form, and which are rigidly connected to the main tractor frame F by lateral frame beams 6.

The ditch digging structure is mounted on the tractor in the following manner:

Disposed a relatively short distance rearwardly of and above the shaft d is a cross shaft 7 journaled adjacent its ends in bearings 8 supported from the rearmost cross beams 6 and connected at its ends to shaft 4 by chain drive units 8a.

Disposed between the bearings 3, and extending rearwardly therefrom, are rigidly connected swing frame members 9, each of which includes an upper beam 1i) and a lower beam 1i. The beams of each member converge at their ends to rigid connection with a front end hub 12. turnable on shaft 7, and with a rear end hub i3 in which an enlarged tubular shaft 14 is turnable.

Transversely spaced drive sprockets 15 are fixed on the shaft 7 between hubs 12, and similarly spaced, enlarged sprockets 16 are fixed on shaft 14; endless chains 17 extending about and between sprockets l5 and 16. The lower run of the chains extends straight between the sprockets, but the upper run is caused to deviate upwardly intermediate its ends, to give more clearance between the runs near their forward end, by idler rollers 1.8 mounted on beams itl intermediate their ends and over which idler rollers the chains are trained, as shown in Fig. l.

A series of toothed digging buckets 19 are mounted on and span the distance between the chains outwardly of the same; the buckets being open at the end thereof facing in the direction of rotation of the sprockets, which is such that the lower run of the chains moves upwardly and forwardly.

The filled buckets, as soon as they move upwardly about the front sprockets 15, face rearwardly and discharge onto the lower end of a transverse discharge conveyor 2b. This conveyor is supported by swing frame 9 under and from the upper beams 1@ thereof, as shown at 21 in Fig. l, and extends laterally thence at an upward angle to an outer end termination well clear of the adjacent side edge of the ditch, as indicated in Fig. 2. The conveyor is driven at its outer end by an electric motor 22 supported by said conveyor, and current for which is supplied by the generator of the tractor.

Since the conveyor is thus a self-contained unit, which does not require any gear or chain drive connections with the tractor, the mounting means may easily be arranged so that the conveyor may be projected from either side of the swing frame 9, as operating conditions may determine to be the best.

Normally included with the central digging assembly above described are side-bank cutter assemblies 23, one on each side of the central assembly. Each such assembly comprises an enlarged, central, outwardly tapering shaft 24 alined with, and projecting laterally out from. shaft i4. Shafts 14 and 24 are provided, at their ad jacent ends, with enlarged matching flanges 25 detachaoly bolted together as shown in Fig. 2; these flanges being outwardly of, but close to, the adjacent hub Secured on shaft 24, and extending continuously from end to end thereof, is a helical vane 26, preferably making two full turns about the shaft and diminishing or Itapering in size from its inner toits outer end. The angle of taper is substantially the same as the angie of slope de sired for the side banks B of the ditch D to be dug, illustrated in Fig. 4. Sockets 27 are secured on the vane adjacent its periphery at suitably spaced points in the length thereof; the Shanks 2S of suitable ground digging or scraping tools 29, whose working edges slope according to the slope desired for the side banks B, being ad justably and removably mounted in the sockets.

he use'o'f asi'ngle'helical vane extending along the shaft provides-a simpleand convenient means for mounting any desired number of cutters in spaced relation axially of the shaft, so that practically the entire area of the ground Vwhich is being du'g to form lthe sloping bank B will be engaged and actedon'by one or another of the cutters as the cutting assembly rotates.

The taper of vthe vanes ena-bles all the Atool Shanks to be of a common length for a predetermined vside bank slope and thus interchangeable wit-h each other, while at the same time the shanks being adjustable in the sockets, enables the tools tobeset to give 'a'variation in the contor or-angularity of 'the side bank. The assembles 23 being readily removed, enables other assemblies with a dil'e'rcnt vanean'gularity to be substituted therefor, or such assemblies-'to be omitted `entirely if it is desired to dig va narrowfr'ectang'ula'r sided ditch.

Remov'ably mounted inconnection with the digging structure as awhole, and a's above described, is what l term aiscraper moldboa'rdassembly 3i), which is arrange to not only laccurately shape the ditch as dug vby the buckets and side bank cutters, but to also deflect the dirt cut vby said side bankv cutters into the path of movement of the buckets, so 'that vthe buckets convey all 'the dirt to the discharge conveyor.

The assembly 30 comprises a top transverse frame beam 31 substantially horizontal when the digging structure is in digging p'ositiomand including short, forwardlyp'rojecting arms 32'at the sides pivotally and removably'` mounted "on the 'outer-'end trunnio'ns v'33 of shafts 24. T he beam as avvh'ol'e thus 'extendsV radially 'of the 'digging structure, and its inner edge is spaced from-while Vbeing generally parallel tothe path of movement of the buckets and the 'cutters 29.

A plate 34, b'racedby depending back ribs 35, depends from'and follows the 'contour of the inner edge of the beam 31, and'is also form'edso'as t0 be concentric with the axis of the mounting shafts 14 and .24 of the digging structure as shown lin Fig. 3.

The lower edge 'of theplate is spaced above'the desired bottom and side face 'of the ditcha short distance; a scraping and shaping blade unit 36 being secured to the inner face 'of the 4plate to engage and shape the cut or dug ground to Va`n`a"ccura`te grade. Astiffening beam 37 is secured against'thefbackfa'ce of plate`34 adjacent its lower edge and extends lfrom end 'to end thereof; the ribs depending and being secured to said beam 37.

In order'to maintain `the moldboard assembly .rigid with the swing frame 9and so that the blade 36 may be accurately set to position, a detachable, heavy-duty turnbuckle 38 extends b'etween'beam 31and the 'top beam'tl of one ofthe .'swingframes near its rear end; a lever and ratchet unit v39 being mounted in permanent connection with the outer member of the tu'rnbuckle adjacent its lower end, so that the setting of the turnbuckle may be easily effected.

By reason of the specific form and construction of the moldboard assembly,as above described, not only is the ditch accurately and cleanly shaped as the digging progresses, but the dirt as roughly cut away by the cutters 29-is deflected to the central bottom portion of the ditch in position to be engaged/and scraped up by the buckets. The ditch behind Athe moldboard assembly :is therefore in aV smooth and clean condition, read-y for the application ofthe cement lining with which the ditch is placed in condition for use. Y Y

By reason of the moldboard assembly being pivoted on the trunnions 33, which are coaxial with the various digging members, adjustment of the assemblydoes not affect the symmetrical arrangement of -said assembly relative tothe cutting members, and allzparts maintain-their predetermined relationship vto each other, permitting fof a 'veryaccurate 'setting ofthe assembly relative to the digeine rhembere t The fact that'the plate '34 andiblade unit 36 are-relatively close to the path of rotation of the tools 29 and slope 4forwardly,-=as shown yin Fig.I enables the 'machine to form a ditch having a longitudinal or horizontal curvature without the plate digging into the curve of the ditch on one side or the other. The top beam 3l, while being above the level of the top of the ditch has a corresponding forward slope on Yits side portions, so as to provide for the convenient shaping of the depending plate 34.

In addition to the plate '34 and blade unit 36, the side beam 31 supports depending, straight side skirts 4Q, depending from the :beam arms 32, which skirts are disposed just laterally `out 'from and overlap the plate 34 at its side edges. The skirts a-ttheir lower edge cut :into the ground to the level of the adjacent ends of the transverse blade unit 36, and define the top side 4edges ofthe ditch, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The digging structure, together with the moldboard assembly mounted thereon, is raised from an operating, below-ground position 'to a position clear 'of the ground for transp'ortby means of an A-fram'e 4l mounted on Y the tractor and overhan'ging the digging structure at its forward pivoted end.

Block and tackle units y42 lextend between the A-.frame and the A'top beams '10 "of swing frames 9 intermediate :the ends thereof; a control `or actuating cable 43 extending forwardly from 'units 42 tothe ypower control unit 44 of the tractor, as indicated zinFig. l.

The machine is propelled along the ground by power means inilependent of the power .plantl by the following means:

VMounted on Jtop "of each 'endless Vtrack unit 5' is .a rigid platform t5 on which Van "electric motor 46 is mounted. 'Themotordrives'a'manually controlled transmission'47 alsoimountedonthe platform. A transverse shaft l43 mounted on the platform'is connected kat`both ends to the shaft 49 'of the `rear sprocket of the endless track unit byendless'chain and sprocket units '50, as shown in Fig. 2. A 'housed worm and 'gear unitv 51 'of conventional type -is'conn'ecte'd to shaft 48 and includes an input" shaft L52 parallel to the output shaft 53 of the transmission V47'. Shafts 52 and 55 are connected in driving relation witheach 'other' by an endless chain and Vsprocket unit "54.

Mounted on "the 'platform 4'5 of one o'f vthe Vendless tra'ck'uriits Vis "anelectric 'generator 55 driven by a housed internal combustion Aengine unit i56 mounted on the platform. Thegenerator 'is of sufficient .capacity'to feed both motors 46; the wiring and `control elements between the generator and motors being `omitted from the showingsince `:they may be of any conventional type and form no part oft'his invention.

By employing sucha means to drive the endless-track units, the speed of operation of the digging mechanism and the speed of advancing movementof the machine alongrthe lground may belseparately controlled, without any relatively complicated ldrive connections between a single power .plantaandtthe '.tra'cks and-.digging structure being necessary, and without the possibility of starving one driven mechanism at the expense .of .theother.

From the foregoing .descriptionit will be readily-seen that there has been produced such a device as will-.sub- .stantially fulfill-the objects of the-invention, as setforth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail therpresent and Aprefer-red construction ofthe. device, still. in f practice such deviations .fromsuch detail may-.be resortedto as do not form a departure fromthe-spirit of the finvention, as defined bythe appended claims.

Having/thus described the invention, .thefollowing yis claimed :as .new-.and useful, and upon which Letters kPatentare desired:

the frame in trailing relation; said structure including buckets to dig the bottom portion of the ditch, a rotary driven shaft at the rear end of the structure, and extensions projecting laterally out from the ends of the shaft arranged to dig and generally shape the sloping side walls of the ditch; each extension comprising a shaft portion coaxial with the shaft, a vane secured on the shaft portion and extending helically along the same, cutting tools supported at intervals from the vane and extending substantially radially out from said shaft portion, with the outer ends of the tools different distances from the axis of the shaft portion to conform to the predetermined slope of the side walls of the ditch; and means mounting the tools on the vane for removal or adjustment radially of the vane.

2. A machine, as in claim 1, in which said tool mounting means includes, with Shanks on the tools, sockets on the vanes adjacent the periphery thereof in which the shanks slidably t.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Warrick Feb, 16, 1886 French Sept. ll, 1917 Krupp July 27, 1920 Wickersham Feb. 2S, 1922 Knight Oct. 30, 1923 Brown Dec. 18, 1923 Asplund Dec. 16, 1924 Barber June 10, 1930 Schmid n June 14, 1932 Bobrowski Ian. 30, 1951 Everett Nov. 11, 1952 Diotti Feb. 10, 1953 Rinehart Mar. 17, 1953 Vaughn Aug. 24, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Sept. 2, 1953 Great Britain July 8, 1953 

